Professor Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University Merelbeke, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
In recent years, as a result of the pressure on antimicrobial (mass) therapy, sampling of the respiratory tract and an etiological diagnosis for bovine respiratory disease by means of laboratory tests have become more popular among veterinarians and farmers. In this lecture, we document how the use of respiratory diagnostics in cattle practice evolved in the last decade in Western Europe. An overview of pros and cons of both classic (culture, PCR) and more novel (MALDITOF-MS and nanopore sequencing) laboratory diagnostics will be provided. Special attention will be given to test interpretation and the primary or secondary nature of a pathogen. Field experiences will be shared, for the audience to decide for themselves whether etiological diagnostics offer a return on investment in their given situation.
Learning Objectives:
understand the pros and cons of the most accessible sampling methods of the respiratory tract in calves
gain an overview of available classic and novel diagnostic test for pathogen identificationn in bovine respiratory disease with their pros and cons
to correctly interpret test results on respiratory samples from calves based on the nature of the pathogen, sampling method and laboratory test used
